Aksai decided to take some time to consolidate his gains and plan his next steps carefully.
He was different from regular Spirit cultivators in that he didn’t need to chase risky endeavors.
However, he still needed to plan his steps carefully to avoid pitfalls that might arise solely because he had chosen a unique cultivation path for himself.
This was why he was so careful in adding Aether cultivation to his path. Only after ensuring that the concepts of Aether energy would not conflict with his Spirit cultivation did he integrate that facet into his practice.
As he settled into his study, Aksai summoned a mental projection of his Mind Palace. The Aether Sea was calm yet brimming with energy, and the Aether Shell pulsated steadily. He knew that soon, he would need to find a suitable demon beast to capture and transform into his Aether Beast.
“Alright, it’s time to study some of the demon beasts I might find in the Eternal Beast Dynasty that could be compatible to be transformed into my Aether Beast,” Aksai murmured before waving his hand.
A bunch of spectral screens popped up in front of him, displaying information about the known demon beasts one could find in the Eternal Beast Dynasty, a dense and vast forest said to be the domain of various types of beasts.
Aksai leaned back in his study chair as he started studying the information displayed on the spectral screens. The neural link fabric, embedded deep within his consciousness, responded instantly, showing him screens filled with images and detailed information about various demon beasts.
This vast database had been meticulously compiled over the years from numerous books, tomes, scrolls, and other sources. One could say that Aksai had ideal use of his time spent in Haan Di and the kind of resources it had at its disposal.
The screens flickered to life, displaying vibrant images of demon beasts in their natural habitats. Some were majestic and awe-inspiring, while others were menacing and fearsome. Each screen contained a wealth of information: habitats, abilities, affinities, strengths, and weaknesses.
Aksai scanned the screens, his eyes darting from one beast to another. He saw towering Flame Tigers with coats of living fire, agile Thunder Leopards crackling with lightning energy, and stealthy Shadow Panthers that seemed to melt into the darkness.
“Hmm, interesting,” he murmured, “but not quite what I’m looking for.”
With a thought, he activated the filters on the neural link fabric. The screens reconfigured, narrowing down the list based on his criteria.
Aksai set the primary filter to focus on demon beasts with a wood element affinity. The screens flickered again, and the images shifted to display a more refined selection.
The first image that caught his eye was that of the Verdant Serpent. This serpent, with its emerald scales, could manipulate plant life, entwining its enemies in a deadly embrace of thorns and vines. Aksai read through its abilities, noting its impressive regenerative capabilities and its control over wood essence.
Next was the Sylvan Stag, a majestic beast with antlers that seemed to sprout leaves and flowers. The stag was known for its healing properties and its ability to summon forest spirits for protection.
He continued to scroll through the filtered list, encountering beasts like the Treant Guardian, a towering creature made entirely of wood and bark, with roots that could delve deep into the earth to draw upon ancient energies. There was also the Vine Cobra, a serpent covered in a network of twisting vines that could ensnare and poison its prey.
“These are more in line with what I need,” Aksai thought aloud, nodding in approval.
He delved deeper into the information, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each beast. The Verdant Serpent’s regenerative abilities were appealing, but its territorial nature might make it difficult to control. The Sylvan Stag’s healing properties were valuable, but its pacifistic tendencies might limit its usefulness in battle.
As he pondered over his options, Aksai’s gaze fell on the final entry: the Arbor Fiend. This demon beast was a formidable entity with the ability to manipulate the very essence of trees and plants. Its powers were tied to the ancient forests it inhabited, giving it an almost symbiotic relationship with its environment.
The Arbor Fiend could summon root barriers, unleash thorny projectiles, and even merge with trees to become nearly invincible.
“This one seems promising,” Aksai mused, leaning forward. “The Arbor Fiend’s abilities could complement my druid bloodline perfectly.”
He made a mental note of the Arbor Fiend and a few other potential candidates. The neural link fabric saved his selections, ensuring he could easily revisit them later.
“I guess I can try to… hmm? What kind of beast is this?”
Aksai was about to close all his spectral screens when his eyes caught sight of a particular entry that made him pause. The image was of a massive turtle, unlike any he had seen before. Intrigued, he opened the screen fully, and a detailed image and description appeared.
The turtle, known as the Verdant Elder, was an awe-inspiring creature. Its enormous body was larger than Aksai’s entire palace, with a dark green shell that looked like it could withstand the weight of mountains. The shell was covered in intricate runic patterns that seemed to pulse with Spirit energy. These runes were said to be inscriptions of the Great Dao, representing its mastery over multiple elements.
“Hmm. This demon beast looks interesting.”
Aksai leaned closer to the screen, examining the detailed illustrations and descriptions. The Verdant Elder’s habitat was described as the deepest, most secluded parts of the Eternal Beast Dynasty. This forest was far from the areas usually explored by Spirit cultivators, which explained why sightings of the Verdant Elder were so rare.
The description went on to highlight the turtle’s impressive multi-element affinity. It had command over wood, water, earth, and even fire Spirit spells. This versatility made it a formidable opponent, capable of adapting its strategies to counter any threat.
The Verdant Elder could summon towering walls of earth, unleash torrents of water, manipulate plant life to entangle enemies, and even breathe fire when provoked.
“This… this is incredible,” Aksai muttered, his eyes wide with fascination. “A creature with such diverse abilities. Plus the ability to manipulate fire. It can allow me to increase my fire-element affinity.”
The screen continued to provide more information. Despite its formidable powers, the Verdant Elder was a solitary creature. It preferred to remain hidden in the depths of the forest, coming out only when necessary, usually after a long period of hibernation.
When it did emerge, it was often in search of food or a mate, making those moments of activity incredibly rare and perilous.
“Hmm. This demon beast seems like an ideal choice for me. The only question is– whether I’ll be able to find it or not.”
The last recorded sighting of the Verdant Elder was almost 300 years ago, leading many to believe that it had either moved deeper into the forest or had gone extinct. The lack of recent encounters only added to its legendary status among cultivators and scholars.
Aksai also needed to make sure that the beast he found in the Eternal Beast Dynasty would be suitable for him in terms of Spirit cultivation level. Getting a 1st order demon beast would be a waste for his current level. Plus, he also couldn’t handle a 3rd order beast. A 2nd order demon beast would be easier for him to handle. It would also serve him well when transformed into a demon beast.
“I’ll try to find Verdant Elder first. But if I really can’t find him, I’ll settle for Arbor Fiend.”
Aksai couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement at the thought of encountering such a creature.
The challenge of finding and perhaps even forming a bond with the Verdant Elder was daunting but exhilarating. He knew that if he could somehow gain the favor or allegiance of this legendary beast, it would be a monumental step forward in his cultivation journey.
“If I understand anything about Aether spells, they would be just like bloodline abilities for me.” he mused aloud, a smile spreading across his face.
“If I do things right, the Verdant Elder’s bloodline spells can become my Aether spells. I can also inherit some of his physical traits based on the concepts of Aether Shell.
The beast has good defensive capabilities. Plus, it has absurd amount of life force. I have a feeling it would be suitable for my Qi cultivation path as well.
Plus I’d get the ability to cast spell domains when I’m just in the Foundation Building realm. The wood, water, and earth element Spirit spells are fine. But if I can increase my affinity for the fire element with the help of this beast, it’d level up my offensive abilities drastically.”
The Spirit farmer quickly saved the information about the Verdant Elder. The spectral screens faded one by one, leaving him with a clear vision.
“I can’t wait anymore,” Aksai said to himself, feeling a thrill of anticipation. “Dadangar will always remain restless whether I decided to do anything or not. With the 1st stage of the bloodline refinement completed, I won’t find a better opportunity to leave the island and explore the mainland.”
With a clear goal in mind, Aksai began to prepare for what would undoubtedly be one of the most challenging and rewarding quests of his life.